C. Difficile

A&D Home Health Solutions

Oct092018

C. Difficile

What it is: Clostridium Difficile (C. Diff) is a bacteria that can cause a potentially life threatening infection. Antibiotics taken to treat bacterial infections knock out both good and bad bacteria which can trigger a C. Diff infection.

Who is at Risk: Older adults in health care facilities are most at risk. People with weakened immune systems are also at risk.

Signs & Symptoms:

Watery Diarrhea 10-15 times a day

Mild to severe abdominal cramping and pain

Rapid heart rate

Fever

Blood or pus in the stool

Nausea

Dehydration

Weight Loss/decreased appetite

Treatment Options: Your doctor will want to treat C. Diff with antibiotics that specifically target this bacteria. If the infection returns within a few days or weeks a second round of antibiotic therapy may be ordered. But for those individuals that continue to have recurrent C. Diff infections there is a newer treatment option call Fecal Transplantation that is showing promising results.

If recurrent C. Diff infections are a concern for you or a loved one talk to your doctor about “Fecal Transplantation”.